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Bend, OR Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Designating body
City Council, on Landmarks Commission recommendation
Consent required
Property owner must consent to designation
Illegal demolition penalty
Misdemeanor plus civil action for up to 20% RMV
Removal by owner
Allowed under ORS 197.772, BC 10.20.070(C)
Enforcement
Class A civil infraction, Bend Municipal Court

Summary

The City of Bend designates historic and cultural resources under Bend Code Chapter 10.20, including buildings, sites, structures, and "historic objects" such as statues, monuments, and fountains. The Landmarks Commission reviews applications and recommends action to the City Council, which makes the final designation decision through a quasi-judicial Comprehensive Plan amendment. Owner consent is required to designate a property.

Historic resource means a building, historic or cultural site, structure, object, or historic district that meets the significance and integrity criteria for designation as a landmark designated by the City Council, State of Oregon or National Park Service. ... 3. ... Historic Object: A construction which is primarily artistic or commemorative in nature and not normally movable or part of a building or structure, e.g., statue, fountain, milepost, monument, sign, etc. ... A. ... Any individual or organization may apply to designate a building or site as a historic resource with the consent of the property owner. The application shall be processed as a quasi-judicial Comprehensive Plan amendment with a recommendation from the Landmarks Commission and final decision by the City Council.

View official code

Full Breakdown

040 defines a "historic resource" broadly: a building, historic or cultural site, structure, object, or historic district meeting significance and integrity criteria for landmark designation by the City Council, the State of Oregon, or the National Park Service. The code specifically calls out "Historic Object" as a resource type, covering constructions that are "primarily artistic or commemorative in nature," listing statues, fountains, mileposts, and monuments as examples, so a cultural monument in Bend is regulated through this historic-resource framework rather than a stand-alone monuments ordinance.

060, any individual or organization may apply to designate a building or site as a historic resource, but only with the property owner's consent. The Landmarks Commission, appointed by the Mayor, reviews the request against three criteria: consistency with state and federal rules, consistency with Comprehensive Plan policies, and demonstrated architectural or historical significance based on past use. The Commission's recommendation goes to the City Council for final action through a quasi-judicial Comprehensive Plan amendment; a district-wide designation instead follows a legislative Comprehensive Plan amendment. 030. 772. 080.

Violations & Fines

A violation of Bend Code Chapter 10.20 is a Class A civil infraction, enforced by Bend Municipal Court. Demolishing or removing a designated historic resource without the required permit is elevated to a misdemeanor under § 10.20.120(B), and the City may also file a civil action to recover up to 20 percent of the property's current real market value, as set by the Deschutes County Assessor, or the resale profit if the property is later sold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a property owner remove Bend's historic designation from their property?
Yes. Bend Code § 10.20.070(C) states that, consistent with ORS 197.772, a property owner shall be allowed to remove a historic designation the City imposed on the property. The removal follows the same Landmarks Commission review and City Council decision process used for the original designation.
Does Bend's historic preservation code cover monuments and statues?
Yes. Bend Code § 10.20.040 defines "Historic Object" as a construction that is primarily artistic or commemorative and gives statues, fountains, mileposts, and monuments as examples, so these are regulated as historic resources rather than under a separate monuments ordinance.
What happens if someone demolishes a designated historic resource in Bend without a permit?
It is a misdemeanor under Bend Code § 10.20.120(B), and the City can sue to recover up to 20 percent of the property's current real market value, or the profit difference if the property is sold, in addition to the standard Class A civil infraction penalty for chapter violations.
Who reviews applications to designate a historic resource in Bend?
The Bend Landmarks Commission, appointed by the Mayor under the Bend Code, reviews designation applications and recommends action; the City Council then makes the final decision through a quasi-judicial Comprehensive Plan amendment under Bend Code § 10.20.060, weighing consistency with state rules, Comprehensive Plan policy, and the site's architectural or historical significance.

Sources & Official References

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